Law will take its own course in Afzal Guru case: Patil

Reacting to the renewed demand to give effect to the death sentence awarded to Afzal Guru, former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that the demand was "politically motivated."

Reacting to the renewed demand to give effect to the death sentence awarded to Afzal Guru, former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday said that the demand was "politically motivated."

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"There are 30-35 files (mercy petitions) pending. Why to single out Guru for expeditious disposal of them?", he countered the media while on a personal visit to Aurangabad last night.

Afzal Guru was convicted in the Parliament attack case and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court.

Patil, who resigned following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, went on to say that "We have not sent Afzal Guru to Pakistan. He is very much here." The Afzal Guru issue was being politicised, he added.

However, law would take its own course, Patil said.

Taking a dig on the opposition parties, Patil without naming the then BJP-led NDA government, hinted that the earlier government had released Azhar Masood, head of Jaish-e-Mohammed, who is now in Pakistan.

Regarding his resignation, he said, "I resigned due to public pressure and on moral ground after the 26/11 terror attack."

"India is capable to confront terrorism and has all the mighty force to tackle it," the former Union Home Minister added.